Gold Coasters looking for access to low-cost allied health care have help at hand thanks to a range of clinics provided by the city’s three universities.
Patients are given professional treatment by students under the experienced eyes of health practitioners at significantly discounted rates from private practice consultations – and More Gold Coast has pulled together a comprehensive list of services.
From dental check-ups and treatments, to psychological assessments and counselling, podiatry, physiotherapy and exercise and nutritional consultations, patients can access a range of services and may be eligible for special programs and clinical trials.
The misconception might be that services are limited to rookie students, but standards are always maintained through quality supervision and in most cases attending students are well on their way to completing their full qualifications.
For example, the Bond University Psychology Clinic is open to all members of the general public, and accepts referrals from medical practitioners, lawyers, courts, schools, agencies, families and even self-referrals, according to Clinic Director Dr Deborah Wilmoth.
“The Clinic has been providing psychological service to the Gold Coast community since 1999, and offers services provided by provisionally-registered psychologists who have already completed at least four years of university training in psychology and are now enrolled in specialist post-graduate Masters degrees, “says Dr Wilmoth.
“They provide services under the supervision of highly qualified and experienced staff who are endorsed clinical and forensic psychologists.”
The university says the clinic makes a significant contribution to mental health, assisting with conditions including depression, anxiety and grief and loss, with initial consultations free, and subsequent consultations only $15 (private consultations can cost as much as $200).
The Griffith Psychology Clinic model also provides low-cost services to children and adults by interns in their 5th year of training, supervised by highly-experienced clinical psychologists, plus they offer specialised clinics for children and adolescents focusing on disruptive behaviour and social skills.
They’ve provided over 3,200 appointments so far this year and are responding to growing demand by extending services over the long break in the university calendar.
“Patients really benefit because we offer a clinical environment at the leading edge of research,” says Dianne Shanley, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Griffith Psychology Clinic.
“Care is outcome-informed so we can clearly demonstrate progress and consumer-focused, responding to patient’s preferences. Our students get the invaluable experience they need and research also indicates that patients get the same quality outcomes from intern care as they do with fully-qualified psychologists.”
The specialised children’s services offer evidenced-based modules and structured programs, for example for children with diagnoses of ADHD, ODD, OCD, CD, ASD or Tourettes who are displaying behaviour problems can access the ROAR (regulating overload and rage) program. There are even mindfulness programs for parents.
When it comes to preventative health, exercise and nutrition clinics compliment physiotherapy services. Clients have the option of being treated by a fully supervised undergraduate student, or qualified physiotherapist/exercise physiologist who is undertaking postgraduate study or by a member of Griffith’s academic staff, including treatments at the cutting edge of clinical research.
Meanwhile Southern Cross University (SCU) offers the only university-based Podiatry clinic on the Gold Coast and the only Pedorthic Clinic in Queensland, while the centralised health facility also offers a bulk-billing GP.
More Gold Coast has the run-down on services, costs, opening hours and contact details.
Psychology
Griffith University
Where: Level 4, Griffith Health Centre
Gold Coast campus, Parklands Drive, Southport
Phone: (07)5552 8165
Enquire or book online
Fees:
Individuals – First consultation $30, Subsequent consultations $20
Psychological Assessment package – Intake session, 2 sessions and report $300, Additional assessment sessions $20. Group programs also available.
Services provided by intern clinical psychologists are not eligible for Medicare or private health fund rebates
Opening hours: Monday – Friday with some evening appointments available.
Bond University
Where: Level 1, Building 4B,
Bond University, Robina
Phone: (07) 5595 2527 or email psych_clinic@bond.edu.au
visit website
Fees:
Initial consultation FREE, subsequent follow-ups available for $15
Fees for psychological assessments and reports are determined on a case by case basis.
The service does not provide emergency psychological care – call Lifeline at 131 114.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, and 2pm to 5pm.
Dental and Oral Health – Griffith University
Where: Level 3, Griffith Health CentreCnr Olsen Avenue and Parklands DriveGold Coast Campus, Southport
Phone: 1800 188 295
Enquire or book online
FREE dental health check-ups for adults and children including x-rays, with free follow-up treatments for children to year 10, and special rates for adults, when seen by a supervised dental student. Special rates have been introduced for Griffith staff and students as well as concession card holders. All monies received are reinvested in the training of the future dental workforce.
From their third year of study, senior dental students begin working within the Clinic under strict supervision by qualified dentists and specialists in the 96-chair facility, equipped with the latest technology.
Bond Psychology
Dental
Southern Cross University Health Clinic
Osteopathic Medicine
Physiotherapy & Active Health Centre – Griffith University
Where: Level 4, Griffith Health CentreCnr Olsen Avenue and Parklands DriveGold Coast Campus, Southport
Phone: (07) 5552 9220
Enquire or book online
Fees: various, treatment available under Workcover, Medicare rebates, Department of Veterans Affairs, Private health
Physiotherapy Clinic
Clients have the option of being treated by a fully supervised undergraduate student, a qualified physiotherapist/exercise physiologist who is undertaking postgraduate study, or by one of Griffith University’s academic and registered physiotherapists.
Nutrition and Dietetics Clinic
Services are provided by Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs). Our dietitians are qualified to advise you on all nutrition related matters and also have clinical training to modify diets to manage a number of health conditions.
Exercise and Movement Clinic
Services are provided by an Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science Accredited Exercise Physiologist, biomechanist, and qualified physiotherapist with an exercise degree with assistance from physiotherapy and exercise science students.
Speech Pathology
Pedorthics
Podiatry
Dental
Podiatry – Southern Cross University
Where: Gold Coast Health Clinic, B Block, ground floorSouthern Cross DriveBilinga, QLD
Phone: (07) 5589 3252
Year-round subsidized clinic.
Fees: $40 per consultation
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm
Osteopathy – Southern Cross University
Gold Coast Health Clinic
Year-round subsidized clinic
Fees: $35 initial consultation, $30 thereafter
Speech Pathology – Southern Cross University
Gold Coast Health Clinic
In-term student clinic
Fees: $40 per consultation
Clinical Trials
The Griffith University Clinical Trial Unit offers a site for Phase I-IV clinical trials and supports a range of clinical trials conducted by Griffith researchers, clinicians and other stakeholders. Current trials include helping cancer survivors with cognitive difficulties; a program based on Circle of Security for parents with young children who experience relationship difficulties; and a trial of family practices to encourage healthy eating in children.
Bond University is currently undertaking a range of trials related to dieting and weight loss – learn more.
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